Getting calluses smoothed at your pedicure

What a callus is and why it forms

A callus is a patch of thickened skin that builds up where something rubs or presses on your foot again and again. Heels, the ball of the foot and the side of the big toe are the usual spots. The thickening is your skin protecting itself, so a little of it is normal and worth keeping.

Year-round sandals add their own wear. Flat, backless shoes let your heel slide and spread with every step, and walking barefoot on hot sand and pool decks toughens the soles. Dry heels can also crack along the edge of a callus, so point out that rim to your tech.

How the add-on works at Element

Our menu has no separate service called a callus removal pedicure. Callus Removal sits on the pedicure add-on list, and it is added to another service, so you choose a pedicure and ask for it on top.

Two examples show the range. A Classic Pedicure is $35 and about 25 minutes, and an Organic Spa Pedicure is $65 and about 50 minutes. Whichever one you pick, the callus work adds its 15 minutes. If your heels are the main reason for your visit, mention that when you book so the time is planned in.

What happens during callus work

In general, callus smoothing comes after your feet have soaked, since softened skin is easier to work on. The thick areas get filed or buffed down in stages, with checks along the way to see how the surface feels. Expect light pressure and maybe a ticklish moment, and say something if a spot feels sore.

Before the work starts, show your tech exactly where the skin bothers you and mention any prescription cream or treatment you use on your feet. Say whether you want a light tidy or a bit more taken down, since a heel and the ball of the foot can need different amounts of attention.

Smooth is the goal, which leaves some of that protective layer in place. Taking off too much can leave your soles tender for days. A very thick callus may need more than one visit to come down comfortably, so tell your tech when it feels like enough.

When to see a doctor or podiatrist first

Ask your doctor or podiatrist before any callus work if you have diabetes, neuropathy or poor circulation. Small nicks on the feet can be harder to notice and slower to heal with those conditions, so your doctor should be the one to say whether a pedicure or callus smoothing is right for you.

Get checked as well for a painful spot with a hard center, a crack that bleeds, or anything that looks infected or keeps returning in the same place. A sore area can be something other than a callus, and only a medical professional can tell you what it is.

Keeping heels smooth afterward

A few habits slow the return of thick skin. If you have diabetes or poor circulation, skip the foot file at home unless your doctor says otherwise.

• Rub a thick foot cream into your heels at night, while the skin is still soft from a shower
• Swap flat, backless sandals for cushioned shoes on long walking days
• Smooth lightly with a foot file after a soak, and stop well before the skin feels raw
• Never shave or cut a callus yourself with a blade

Questions guests ask

How much is callus removal at Element?

It is $10 on top of the pedicure you book, with about 15 minutes added to your appointment. Since it is listed as an add-on, it needs a pedicure to go with it.

Will one visit get rid of my calluses for good?

Calluses tend to come back as long as the rubbing or pressure that caused them continues. Smoothing handles what is there now. Different footwear and regular moisturizing can help slow new buildup, and a podiatrist can look at pressure points that keep thickening.

Can I get Callus Removal with gel polish on my toes?

Yes, both are on the pedicure add-on list. Gel Polish is $15 and also takes about 15 minutes, so count both when you plan your time. Sugar Scrubs at $10 are another pedicure add-on that suits heel work, and that one takes about 15 minutes too.